loprazolam mesilate at a glance
Medicine class
Benzodiazepine hypnotic
Licensed use
Severe insomnia causing substantial distress or disability
Administration
Swallow the tablet whole with water just before bedtime
Key safety issue
Can cause next-day drowsiness, dependence and withdrawal symptoms
What is loprazolam mesilate used for?
The selected product is licensed for short-term treatment of insomnia only when symptoms are severe, disabling or causing extreme distress.
Difficulty falling asleep
Frequent waking during the night
How does loprazolam mesilate work?
Loprazolam strengthens the calming action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. This reduces nervous-system activity and produces sedation that can support sleep.
loprazolam mesilate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 1 mg
How to take loprazolam mesilate
Follow the prescriber's instructions. Swallow the tablet whole with water just before bedtime, and only take medicine prescribed specifically for you.
Do not share the tablets with anyone else.
Do not take extra tablets or combine them with other sedatives unless instructed.
Agree a stopping plan with the prescriber rather than stopping suddenly.
loprazolam mesilate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Daytime drowsiness
- Dizziness or unsteadiness
- Headache
- Nausea or stomach upset
- Muscle weakness
- Blurred vision
- Confusion, particularly in susceptible people
Get urgent medical advice
- Allergic swelling or difficulty breathing
- Marked sedation, reduced consciousness or slowed breathing
- Aggression, unusual excitement or other marked behavioural change
- Suicidal thoughts or worsening depression
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Falls causing serious injury
- Severe withdrawal symptoms such as hallucinations or seizures
loprazolam mesilate in pregnancy
Loprazolam is not recommended during pregnancy. Exposure later in pregnancy may affect fetal movement and can cause breathing, temperature, muscle-tone, feeding or withdrawal problems in the newborn. Anyone pregnant or planning pregnancy should contact the prescriber and should not stop regular treatment abruptly without advice.
loprazolam mesilate while breastfeeding
The selected product information advises against loprazolam while breastfeeding because benzodiazepines enter breast milk. UK specialist advice generally prefers other, shorter-acting options for insomnia; obtain individual advice, especially for a premature or unwell infant.
loprazolam mesilate interactions
Loprazolam's sedative and breathing effects can be intensified by other substances that depress the central nervous system.
Opioids, including codeine, morphine, oxycodone, tramadol and methadone
The combination can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death; concurrent use requires strong justification and close monitoring.
Alcohol
Alcohol increases sedation and impairment; concurrent intake is not recommended.
Other sedatives and hypnotics
Effects may add together, increasing drowsiness, confusion, falls and breathing problems.
Common questions about loprazolam mesilate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is loprazolam mesilate used for?
It is licensed for short-term treatment of severe insomnia, including difficulty falling asleep and repeated waking during the night.
How does loprazolam mesilate help sleep?
It enhances the calming action of GABA in the brain, reducing nervous-system activity and producing sedation.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.